Automobile lock



Feb. 21, 1933. Q s HERSHEY 1,898,127

AUTOMOBILE LOCK Filed Oct. 27, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F27? 2/8 for.

Feb. 21, 1933. o. s. HERSHEY 1,898,127

AUTOMOBILE LOCK Filed Oct. 27. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 H mm I "Ill-4 0/7/5116 612262 kg 5W J Patented Feb. 21, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ORVILLE S. HERSHEY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO CAKES PRODUCTS CORPORATION, OF NORTH CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION or MICHIGAN g AUTOMOBILE LOCK Application filed October 27, 1926. Serial No. 144,480.

This invention relates to a lock adapted especially for automobiles, and is designed particularly for association with one of the operating units thereof. It may be connected with a steering mechanism, a change speed mechanism, a motor ignition circuit, or any other unit or system whose operation is required in the use of a vehicle.

The embodimentof my invention herein shown and described includes a switch which may be interposed in the motor ignition circuit. Such a switch is designed to be opened, thereby rendering the motor inoperative, whenever .the lock is operated to interfere with use of an associated mechanism.

The present invention embodies certain improved features in the connection between the lock and switch, by which the switch may be opened without actuation of the lock,

whereby the motor may be disabled; it also rovides for a coincidental operation, in which both the lock and switch are affected simultaneously, or nearly so. This actuation of either the switch or look, or both, is 5 effected by a single means having an optional dual movement. With such means I further associate an indicator which is visible at all times to the operator, whereby he is apprised of existing conditions within the lock. In this maner the chances of mistake are reduced to a minimum, itbeing merely necessary that the operator use his eyes to obtain full knowledge concerning the position of the operating parts. An exemplification of this invention in a preferred form is set forth in the accompanying drawings, in the manner following: Figure 1 is aside elevation of the lock housing'showing its relation to the associated steering column and instrument board; Fig. 2 which is a transverse section through the column on line 22 of Fig. 1 shows in elevation the upper or front face of the hous- Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section taken centrally through the lock housing, and shows in elevation the locking bolt therein Fig. 4 is a fragmentary'view in elevation of the indicating disk and guideway therefor on the upper or front face of the houslng Fig. 5 is a view in elevation of the rear end of the lock cylinder; f

Fig. 6 is a sectional detail taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a sectional 77 of; Fig. 4;

Fig. 8 which is a sectional view similar to Fig. 3 shows the locking bolt in retracted position;

Fig. 9 is a detail in section taken on line 99ofFig.8; M

Fig. 10 which is a View in elevation looking into the switch housing, shows the parts re lated to break the circuit in which the switch is interposed; f

Fig. 11 is a similarview showing the switch moved to closed position; and

Fig. 12 is a similar view showing the switch moved to a second open position;

Fig. 13 is a view in perspective of-the sliding indicator disk, together with, its assodetail taken on line ciated plate; and

' Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the movable block which forms the conducting element in the switch shown in Fig. 9.

The present lock may be contained within a. housingA through which is an opening for accommodating a column B wherein is ex tended a post C connecting a steering wheel with the swiveled running wheels, usually at the front of an automobile. Secured fast'to the post is a collar D having therein a grooveor socket 15 which may be brought into register with an opening 16 formed in thecolumn. Suitable means for attaching the hous ing to a fixed part of. an automobile.its instrument board 17, for exampleare provided in one or more bolts 18. The locking mechanism herein shown includes a bolt 19 adapted to be projected through the column into the socket 15. This bolt is yieldingly associated with manipulative means which may. take the form of a hol-v low plunger 20 wherein is accommodated a coil spring 21 which bears with pressure. against one end of the bolt. The outward movement of the bolt relative to the plunger may be arrested by a pin 22 which abuts against one end shoulder of a flat 23 formed in the bolt surface. A reciprocable movement may be imparted to the plunger by means of a lock cylinder 24 operable with a key 25 designed specially therefor. At the rear end of the cylinder I have shown an eccentric 26 which is disposed within a slot 27 formed transversely of the plunger. With rotation of the cylinder, the eccentric transmits an cndwise movement to the plunger whereby the locking bolt is moved toward or from the steering post C. It is desirable to employ a lock cylinder wherein the key may be inserted or removed only when the cylinder is in one of two rotative positions, i. e., either when the plunger 20 is fully advanced or retracted.

Associated with a lock of the general character described is a switch which may be interposed in an electrical circuitthe motor ignition circuit, for example. Such a switch is preferably contained within a housing E which may be fastened removably to the under or rear side of the lock housing as by means of bolts or screws. As shown, the switch includes a pair of binding posts 28 eX- tended through the housing in spaced relation, each post having a head 29 which is eX- posed to form a contact. These two contacts are arranged adjacent one face of a chamber within the housing wherein is a movable switch block 30, preferably of elongated form, as shown. The chamber is longer than the block whereby the latter may be reciprocated longitudinally therewithin, and is also enlarged laterally at one end by the oblique extension of one wall 31. By this construction one end of the block may also be swung to one side, as indicated in Fig. 12. This'movable block, as shown, is provided on one face with a longitudinal channel intersected centrally by a cross slot wherein maybe seated the crimped central portion 33 of a spring brush 34. the two ends of which, disposed in the channel, are adapted to engage with the terminal post contacts 29. It is contemplated that the two posts of the switch shall be interposed in an electrical circuit which is broken when the movable block is shifted longitudinally to one end of the housing chamber, and closed when moved to its opposite end where an electrical connection is established between the two terminals 29. The circuit may also be broken when one end of the movable block is shifted laterally, as in Fig. 12, so as to disengage from the proximate contact 29.

"A switch having the general characteristics set forth herein may be operated by movement of the plunger 20, the outer end of which is equipped with a manipulating head 35 produced conveniently as a separate unit. The operative connection between the plunger and the movable switch block may consist of a pin 36-which is extended laterally from within the cross'slot 27.

The plunger may be yieldingly held against rotation from a normal position as by means of a'detent which may take the form of a spring pressed ball 37 normally rested within a longitudinal groove 38 formed in the outer surface'of the plunger, the efiect being to thereby hold the plunger in a selected rotative position. It is'desirable, however, to provide for turning the plunger back to normal in case of a reciprocation which starts from the off position of the switch, as in Fig. 12. For this purpose use is made of a guide plate 47 which is arranged in place adjacent the lock housing within the housing E for the switch. This plate is formed with a suitable guide slot (not shown) having one oblique edge corresponding generally to the wall 81 for engaging the pin 36 whenever the plunger is advanced in response to rotation of the lock cylinder, the efiect being to turn the plunger also to its normal position of Fig. 10. Adjacent the cross slot 27 is a second slot a8, a thin wall 49 intervening to receive engagement from the eccentric 26. This wall is of such character as to break or give way inthe event of any hard blow being delivered to the end of the plunger when in the position of Fig. 3. By this frangible means, if effort be made with a hammer or other percussion tool to wreck the locking mechanism, the plunger may possibly be driven inuntil it abuts the column B, but without overcoming the restraint imposed by the eccentric against return movement of the plunger.

A coincidentallock of the kind described may be conveniently associated with the ignition circuit of an automobile engine. It is difiicult to determine without a test the condition of the parts interiorly of the lock housing. Consequently a visual indicating means is provided for this purpose. Extending radially from the plunger 20 preferabiy on its side which is diametrically opposite to the pin 36 is a second pin 40 having one end slidingly received within the oblique slot 41 of a plate 42 with which is associated an indicating disk 43 (see Fig. 13). The plate is slidingly mounted within a guideway at extending across the front or top face of the lock housing in a direction transverse to the axis of the locking bolt. A cover plate which is arranged over the guideway as indicated in Fig. 2 exposes through a slot 46 a small portion of the disk whereon appears certain designations as Locked On and Off, of which only one at a time is exposed to view. According to the arrangement sug gested the On mark lies between the other two so as to be exposed when the pin .40 0c copies a position substantially midway of the slot ll. With the plunger 20 retracted, as in Fig. 9, the pin is in this mid position so that the On designation is a correct indication of the position of the switch. If the plunger be manually rotated to open the switch, the pin will travel to one end of the slot 41, thereby moving the disk upwardly to expose the Off designation which correctly indicates the switch position in such circumstances. Also if the plunger be advanced in response to rotation of the lock cylinder, the pin 40 will move to the opposite end of the slot whereby to bring the locked mark into view, thus describing correctly the condition of the mechanism within the housing. It is of advantage to produce the indicating disk 43 independently of the plate 42, as suggested in the drawings, inasmuch as these two parts may require different handling and finishing.

A switch mechanism having the general characteristics herein set forth is also advantageous in that it may be formed and handled as a unit independent of the lock housing. Its installation is facilitated by reason of the simplicity of its operative connection with the look. This connection isloose with respect to the switch so as to permit this part to be attached or removed freely without doing other than manipulating the fastening screws.

The features of invention hereinafter claimed were in large part disclosed in my movement path, the detent being retractable to permit the said member to move otherwise, and the movable switch element being shifted with either movement of said member to open or close the electrical circuit, substantially as described.

2. In an automobile lock having a bolt, a housing wherein the bolt may be reciprocated or oscillated, a yielding detent disposed in a longitudinal groove in the bolt for normally guiding the same to move in a lineal direction but permitting the bolt, upon application of sufficient rotary force to be oscillated, and an electrical switch associated with the bolt and adapted to be opened with either movement thereof, substantially as dcscribed.

3. A coincidental lock in which is combined an electrical switch and a locking mechanism, the latter including an element movable either reciprocatingly or oscillatingly, a connection extending from said element to the switch, and operating means for said element comprising a lock cylinder having a connection therewith such as to permit free oscillations of the former when the lock cylinder is in one rotative position, substantially as described. '7

4. A coincidental lock in which is combined an electrical switch and locking 7 mechanism, the latter including an element movable either reciprocatingly or oscillatingly, a connection extending from said element to the switch,- and operating means for said element comprising a member rotatable about an axis which is normal to the axis of said element and connected slidingly therewith for imparting reciprocation thereto, substantially as described.

5. In combination, a lock having a housing in which is contained a bolt, operating means therefor, and a connection therebetween including a frangible part adapted to give way under a percussive force, substantially as described.

6. In combination, a lock having a housing in which is contained a bolt having an exposed manipulative means therefor, an operative means for the bolt working through the manipulative means, and a connection 8. A coincidental lock in which is combined a bolt advancable to an interfering position also an associated electrical switch having a single closed position and two open positions, a single operating means for reciprocating the bolt, and a connection from the bolt to the switch such that the former when advanced will move the switch from either or two positions to an open position and when retracted will move the switch to.

its closed position, and manipulative means for movlng the switch from 1ts closed to one its open position without change in the position of the bolt, substantially as described.

9. In combination, a locking mechanism including a part having a dual movement, and an associated electrical switch in which is comprised a housing forming a mounting for a pair of fixed contacts and a support for a movable contact, and means operable with either movement of said part for shifting the movable contact to make or break electrical connection with the fixed contacts, substantially as described.

10. In combination, a locking mechanism including a part having a dual movement, and an associated electrical switch in which is comprised a housing forming a mounting for a pair of fixed contacts and a support for a movable block of insulated material, there being a conductor carried upon said block adapted in one position thereof to engage with both contacts, and means operable with either movement of said part for shifting the movable block to and from said position whereby the conductor makes or breaks electrical connection with the contacts, substantially as described.

ORVILLE S. HERSHEY. 

